Lot 89: Samuel Andrews (Irish, circa 1767-1807) Lt. James Armstrong (d.1812) of the 10th Regiment of Foot, profile to the right, wearing braided coatee with epaulettes over frilled chemise and tied stock, his hair worn en queue

Lt. James Armstrong (d.1812) of the 10th Regiment of Foot, profile to the right, wearing braided coatee with epaulettes over frilled chemise and tied stock, his hair worn en queue.
En grisaille, dated beneath the truncation Calcutta Januυry/ 1803, gilt-metal mounted rectangular horn frame, inscribed on the reverse with the sitter's name.
Oval, 95mm (3 3/4in) high

James Armstrong came from a military and landed family living in the Lisgoole area of Co. Fermanagh. He was Aide-de-Campe to Lord Wellesley during the Indian Campaign of 1803-1805, military agent in Spain 1809 and 1810; and, until his death in 1812, Aide-de-Campe to the Duke of York.

Andrews painted similar en grisaille profiles of Wellesley and his brother, the Duke of Wellington at the same period, so it is likely that Armstrong gained his introduction to the artist through his connection to the brothers.